Recruiting

Transition Care Team

Sponsor:

University of Chicago

Code:

NCT07713849

Conditions

Schizoaffective Disorders

Bipolar Disorder With Psychotic Features

Schizophrenia Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder With Psychotic Features

Psychosis NOS

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 40

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Transition Care Team

Study Details

Brief summary:

This study is testing a new approach to help people with first episode psychosis transition successfully from the hospital to outpatient mental health care. Many patients lose contact with services after they leave the hospital, which can lead to worse outcomes. The investigators have developed a Transition Care Team (TCT) that works with patients while they are in the hospital and continues to support them after discharge. The team provides therapy, case management, and coordination with community programs that offer ongoing care. The main goal of the study is to find out if this new program increases the number of patients who successfully begin outpatient treatment after hospitalization, compared to usual care. The investigators will also look at whether the program improves symptoms, functioning, and overall well-being.

Conditions

Schizoaffective Disorders

Bipolar Disorder With Psychotic Features

Schizophrenia Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder With Psychotic Features

Psychosis NOS

Study ID

NCT07713849

Start date

May 6, 2026

Status verified date

Jul, 2026

Completion date

May 6, 2029

Anticipated

Primary completion date

May 6, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 40

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, schizophreniform disorder, or psychosis NOS
  • The diagnosis of one of the psychotic disorders has a duration of less than two years.
  • Able to read, speak, and understand English, which will be assessed through observation.
  • Able and willing to provide written informed consent or assent, in cases where caregivers are considered legal guardians. Dr. Shima, co-I of the study, is a forensic psychiatrist, and particularly adept at judging such ability. Drs. Erickson and Keedy have conducted studies in individuals with psychotic disorders, including FEP and in the context of clinical trials, for years, and are similarly competent to judge whether individuals can provide informed consent. Finally, we will also use an Evaluation to Sign Consent form that documents subjects' verbalized understanding of key aspects of the study.
  • have an estimated IQ of > 65, assessed by the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading
  • Eligible caregivers/proxy informants must be identified by the participant or clinical team as being involved in the participant's discharge planning or follow-up care, be able to provide informed verbal consent, and be able to speak and read English sufficiently to complete study questionnaires. Caregivers may include family members, close supports, or legally authorized representatives.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals with substance-induced psychosis or psychosis due to a medical condition will not be included in the study. We will use the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 as well as medical records, and if the subject gives permission, caregiver information in this process
  • Individuals who do not meet criteria for a first episode of psychosis

Study Design

Enrollment

75 participants

Anticipated

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

Individuals with First Episode Psychosis

Adults ages 18-40 admitted o an inpatient psychiatric unit with a first episode of psychosis (onset within prior 2 years) who received the Transition Care Team (TCT-FEP) intervention from hospitalization through to 6 weeks post-discharge

Interventions

Transition Care Team

The novel intervention is the Transition Care Team (TCT), a multidisciplinary clinical support model designed to improve continuity of care for individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The TCT provides short-term post-discharge services, including psychoeducation, case management, peer support, and coordination with outpatient programs until participants are established in Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC). This differs from standard care, where patients typically receive discharge referrals without structured follow-up. The intervention itself uses evidence-based clinical practices but applies them in a new, transitional format for this population, which is not currently part of standard inpatient-to-outpatient care at UChicago or Ingalls.

Primary outcome measure

  • Effectiveness of Transition Care Team for First Episode Psychosis [ Time Frame: 6 weeks post-discharge ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Madeline Perez Lab Manager, B.S

773-712-9178keedylab@gmail.com

Locations

University of Chicago Ingalls Memorial Hospital

Recruiting

Harvey, Illinois, United States, 60426

Contacts

Madeline Perez, B.S

773-712-9178maddieg@bsd.uchicago.edu

Principal Investigator:

Sarah Keedy, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

University of Chicago

Last update posted

Jul 20, 2026

Last verified

Jul, 2026

Keywords

  • First Episode Psychosis
  • Bipolar
  • Inpatient Unit
  • Transition Care Team
  • Schizophrenia
  • Coordinated Specialty Care

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Chicago on 2026-07-20.